Primary: Maine is one of 12 states to use a strictly closed primary process, in which the selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members.[6][7][8]

Voter registration: Voters needed register to vote in the primary by either May 20, 2014 (by mail or through voter registration drive) or on election day (in person). For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 14, 2014. However, there was no cut-off date for registering in person at the town office or city hall.[9]

Incumbent: Heading into the election the incumbent is Mike Michaud (D), who was first elected in 2002. In June 2013, Michaud announced that he would run for Governor of Maine instead of seeking re-election to the 2nd District seat.

“Troy Jackson failed to protect Maine's public health, sided with polluters, and refused to take on big challenges like climate change. His election would put Maine on the wrong path,” said Dan Amory, Board President of Maine Conservation Voters.[31]

“Too often, Troy Jackson put the interests of polluting special interests and their allies ahead of doing what’s right to protect our environment and public health. Maine needs an environment champion in Congress, not an ally of corporate polluters,” said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters.[31]

Key votes

Below are important votes the current incumbent cast during the 113th Congress.

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[33] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[34] Michaud voted against the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[35]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[36] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. Michaud voted for HR 2775.[37]

Endorsements

Republican candidates

Kevin Raye

The National Republican Congressional Committee added Kevin Raye (R) to their "On the Radar" list in November 2013. According to the NRCC, candidates that make this list receive "...the tools they need to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democratic opponents."[39][40]

Bruce Poliquin

The National Republican Congressional Committee added Bruce Poliquin (R) to their "On the Radar" list in November 2013. According to the NRCC, candidates that make this list receive "...the tools they need to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democratic opponents."[41][42]

Matt Kibbe, President of FreedomWorks, stated in the endorsement, “Bruce Poliquin, a successful businessman and proven conservative leader, is just the kind of man we need in Congress. With an education in economics and more than 30 years in the financial industry, his insights into how to fix a failing economy will be an asset from day one. Poliquin has a track record of putting his common sense fiscal principles to work. As State Treasurer for Maine, he took on the debt-ridden pension system that wasting money and hurting its pensioners and turned it around. He saved the state 1.7 billion dollars and put the system on solid footing. Results matter and Bruce Poliquin is a leader that can deliver, and has delivered. The voters have an easy choice. Bruce Poliquin is the only candidate in this race who will lead the charge and help fix our fiscal house in Washington, D.C.”[44]

Emily Cain

“Emily has defended women’s access to healthcare, fought to increase opportunities in education, and spearheaded ethics reforms in Augusta, and the EMILY’s List community — now more than two million members strong — is thrilled to help her become the first Democratic woman elected to Maine’s 2nd Congressional District,” EMILY’s List President Stephanie Schriock said in a news release.[48]

Polls

Republican primary

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

General election

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.